{"id":884,"date":"2017-09-29T07:11:37","date_gmt":"2017-09-29T07:11:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.songtive.com\/?p=884"},"modified":"2017-09-29T10:34:51","modified_gmt":"2017-09-29T10:34:51","slug":"learning-masters-part-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.songtive.com\/blog\/learning-masters-part-3\/","title":{"rendered":"Learning from the Masters \u2013 Part 3"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.songtive.com\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-683 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.songtive.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/tutorial2.jpg\" alt=\"funny girl student with glasses reading books\" width=\"940\" height=\"528\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.songtive.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/tutorial2.jpg 940w, https:\/\/www.songtive.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/tutorial2-300x168.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.songtive.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/tutorial2-624x350.jpg 624w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 940px) 100vw, 940px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Hi there! Today in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.songtive.com\">Songtive<\/a> we\u2019re going to follow our \u2018Learning from the Masters\u2019 series reviewing the legendary Queen classic Bohemian Rhapsody! This worldwide known song has many interesting aspects worth to analyze and to incorporate in your composer\u2019s toolbox. The singular structure, the musical approach of the ideas we\u2019re listening, the combination of classical music elements into a (for that time) modern rock and roll setting; all of it combined to shape one of the most memorable songs ever written!<\/p>\n<p>Before getting into it, let\u2019s remember some bullet points that we will observe:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>For analysis purposes, the most convenient way to get into it is to get the structure first.<\/li>\n<li>The introduction will give you the essential information you need: the key, the main theme(s) and the character.<\/li>\n<li>Verses present the main vocal ideas, and usually are repeated with only a variation in the lyrics, conserving the underlying chord progression to keep the balance and symmetry.<\/li>\n<li>Chord-melody relationship will provide you information on why things sound appealing to our ears and are via chord tones and melody\u2019s notes that this relation is established.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Released in 1975 as one of the lead singles from their A Night at the Opera album, the song stands as one of the most emblematic rock icons of the last 40 years! And much of its success can be owed to Freddie Mercury\u2019s outstanding songwriting work on it.<\/p>\n<p>First things first: the thing that makes Bohemian Rhapsody a timeless classic is its structure\u2019s complexity. The song departs from the common verse \u2013 chorus \u2013 verse \u2013 solo \u2013 chorus formula, and it is set as more of a musical suite than anything else. That is, the song is planned to tell a story through multiple musical episodes, each one approaching a particular point of the main character. Let\u2019s check it out!<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"420\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/fJ9rUzIMcZQ?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_74 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.songtive.com\/blog\/learning-masters-part-3\/#Intro\" >Intro<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.songtive.com\/blog\/learning-masters-part-3\/#1st_Verse\" >1st Verse<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.songtive.com\/blog\/learning-masters-part-3\/#Bridge\" >Bridge<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.songtive.com\/blog\/learning-masters-part-3\/#2nd_Verse\" >2nd Verse<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.songtive.com\/blog\/learning-masters-part-3\/#1st_Solo\" >1st Solo<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Intro\"><\/span>Intro<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>At 0:05 starts the memorable introduction of Bohemian Rhapsody and it goes to 0:53. It presents the character and something that would be a recurring element throughout the song: an a capella choral arrangement (made entirely of chord tones) and the theme of the poor boy in trouble, which is the principal argument of the song. The main pieces of what Bohemian Rhapsody are established during this introduction section.<br \/>\n<b>Lessons:<\/b> Intro section needs to set the mood of your song, so keep it soft and with few instruments to make it a ballad.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1st_Verse\"><\/span>1st Verse<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The first verse starts at 0:54, the piano accompaniment pattern is established and will last the whole song, using the following chord progression: Bb \u2013 Gm \u2013 Cm \u2013 F. This can be read as I \u2013 vi \u2013 iv \u2013 V. We can hear the piano and electric bass supporting the melody Freddie sings, so the intention is to keep it subtle, as it is the story of an incident. The mood is that of a slow ballad.<\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 100%; text-align: center;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"\/\/www.songtive.com\/songs\/2Df\/learning-from-the-masters-part-3?mini=1\" width=\"420\" height=\"115\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p><b>Lessons:<\/b> Using sparse writing, like arpeggios, chord tones for the bass and subtle-to-non percussion is useful to set a light mood for your ballads.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Bridge\"><\/span>Bridge<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>At 1:24 begins the bridge, a section that will be used as a transition point between verses. Roger Taylor\u2019s kits start here, to add motion and intensity to the song, as the melody goes higher. Note how the melody descends as Freddie sings \u201ccarry on, carry on\u201d, adding more meaning to the fateful phrase.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Lessons:<\/strong> Enhance the emotional range of your melodies by placing them properly. Use middle-range melodies to establish the mood, ascending lines for stronger emotions and descending ones to release the tension of the moment.<br \/>\nThe chords are: Eb \u2013 Bb \u2013 Cm \u2013 Fm<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2nd_Verse\"><\/span>2nd Verse<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Starting at 1:53, the second verse explains what is going on in the poor boy\u2019s head as he has to face the consequences of his actions. Note how the same pattern is repeated: the piano+bass accompaniment, followed by the drums. Now, instead of a sung bridge, we get the same chords with a new addition: the first guitar solo.<\/p>\n<p><b>Lessons:<\/b> To add more verses, you can use the same chords as in the first one. Make sure to bring something different<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1st_Solo\"><\/span>1st Solo<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Starting at 2:40, the solo serves two purposes for this song: as the close of the first section, exposing the situation (how the boy murdered someone) and the unforeseen consequences (the boy dealing with it by writing a letter to his mother). The second function is to serve as an interlude for the beautiful and legendary a capella choir that follows, in four-part harmony!<\/p>\n<p><b>Lessons:<\/b> Expand your solo ideas by recycling material. This is good to keep coherence. Note how the solo is being played over the same chords as the bridge: Eb \u2013 Bb \u2013 Cm \u2013 Fm<\/p>\n<p>We hope that you have enjoyed the first section of Bohemian Rhapsody and got some great ideas from it using our lessons! In the following article, we\u2019ll get deeper in the interesting a capella section and the exciting second half of this timeless rock classic!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Hi there! Today in Songtive we\u2019re going to follow our \u2018Learning from the Masters\u2019 series reviewing the legendary Queen classic Bohemian Rhapsody! This worldwide known song has many interesting aspects worth to analyze and to incorporate in your composer\u2019s toolbox. The singular structure, the musical approach of the ideas we\u2019re listening, the combination of classical [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[4,20,25,10],"class_list":["post-884","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-chords","tag-music-theory","tag-progression","tag-songtive"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v24.8.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Learning from the Masters \u2013 Part 3 - Songtive Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.songtive.com\/blog\/learning-masters-part-3\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Learning from the Masters \u2013 Part 3 - Songtive Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Hi there! Today in Songtive we\u2019re going to follow our \u2018Learning from the Masters\u2019 series reviewing the legendary Queen classic Bohemian Rhapsody! This worldwide known song has many interesting aspects worth to analyze and to incorporate in your composer\u2019s toolbox. 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